Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת is Not Leprosy!

Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת is not leprosy!

I'm glad that the Chabad Tanach editors just transliterate the word Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת rather than misleading people into thinking that it's a medical condition.

Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת doesn't exist today. For those who like to equate it with all sorts of skin diseases and conditions, sorry but you're totally wrong.

Chazal, our sages tell us that "Gd first creates the cure then the disease." The cure and diagnosis of Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת was by the Kohen, Priest from the Beit Hamikdash, Holy Temple. Once they Priests no longer functioned in such a way, then there was nobody to even diagnose Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת. So without a diagnosis/cure, the condition could no longer exist.

Yes, it's that simple.

I believe that the early christian theologians and Bible translators found it necessary to give the condition a medical name. Since they did this after Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת no longer existed they had to make it look like it was something current. Also, theologically they had absolutely now way of relating to Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת.

Maybe when we have the Third Temple, Tzara'at צָרָ֑עַת will return.

The Mishkan and Post-Temple Judaism

Yesterday in Matan during the lecture by Yael Leibowitz, in which she described what we'll be learning this year, she mentioned that after the destruction of the Holy Temples, Chazal, our sages had the task of defining a Judaism which could survive in Exile and without a Temple. It had to be "portable."

After close to forty years living in Shiloh, it's no surprise where my mind went. I saw a chiastic structure framing the period between Joshua's leading the Jewish People into the Land of Israel and the Destruction of the Second Holy Temple which preceded the long two thousand 2,000 year Exile into the Diaspora.

Model of Inner Tabernacle, Ancient Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh

Main Synagogue in Shiloh, designed after the Biblical Tabernacle

The bridge was the Mishkan, Tabernacle, especially when it rested, stood temporarily in Shiloh for close to four hundred years. Prayer, more specifically communal, consisted of sacrifices and took place in and around the Mishkan. The Mishkan was first constructed according to detailed plans communicated by Gd right after the exodus from Egypt.

The Mishkan was made to be portable, and during the forty years the Jewish People were "in transit" between Egypt and the Holy Land, it could be moved. In the Holy Land, it then "rested" in Shiloh. Besides the stone foundation, it was still constructed of wood, fabric and animal skins. That's why it is so difficult to ascertain exactly where it stood in Shiloh. No stone walls remain, no matter how far deeply the archaeologists dig.

When we were a united tribal nation, the Tabernacle was enough to keep us together, build shared experiences, but with time the Jewish People needed more.

In the Holy Land, first the Mishkan was the center for religious pilgrimages. Later, during the Davidic Dynasty, it was replaced by the Beit Hamikdash, Holy Temple in Jerusalem. And then, after the destruction of the Second Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish People, a new version of Judaism had to be developed. No longer did Gd send specific instructions. It was in the hands of knowledgeable people, the Sanhedrin.

The Sanhedrin developed/decided on a Judaism that has kept us a People for two thousand years. And now, thank Gd, we have returned to our Land. As Jews return from all corners of the world, it's time to erase our differences and build the Third Holy Temple in Jerusalem, Gd willing, speedily in our days...

Taste of Moshiach, Eating on 9th of Av

Tisha b'Av, the 9th day of the Jewish Month of Av is commemorated as the saddest and longest day of the year. It's one of the two 25 hour fasts, along with Yom Kippur. But unlike Yom Kippur it's a day of mourning, and the mourning customs continue until the following afternoon. Even the meal that breaks the fast has to be restricted to non-festive foods.

Unlike Yom Kippur, Tisha b'Av will not be a fast day forever. When the Moshiach rules and our Holy Temple is rebuilt, the 9th of Av will become a festive holiday. We pray that will be soon. It's even customary that announcement for Tisha b'Av events to be preceded with "If the Moshiach hasn't yet come..."

The meals that "bookend" Yom Kippur are festive meals, traditionally a rich chicken soup followed by meat and festive dishes, but for 9th of Av it's the opposite. The traditional prefast meal before Tisha b'Av is that of a mourner. No meat or poultry and the "Dessert" is boiled eggs rolled in ash. But not this year!

This year we ate meat and poultry and drank wine on Tisha b'Av. Many Torah observant Jews even had festive meals before the fast began. That's because this year the actual 9th of Av was on Shabbat, and we don't mourn on Shabbat. It's forbidden. The only special pre-Tisha b'Av change to Shabbat was that we were required to finish eating our festive third Shabbat meal before the sun began to set.

Gd willing next year, 5779, there will be no Fast of Tisha b'Av, neither the 9th of Av nor the 10th. Those days will be joyous holidays, and the Holy Temple will be standing, and Jews won't be forced to undergo demeaning inspections to go up to the Temple Mount.

Gd willing Tisha b'Av next year, 5779, there will be festive Jewish Prayer in the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount!

My husband, Yisrael Medad, waiting to enter the Temple Mount today

Wonderful Learning at Matan

I had an offer I couldn't refuse yesterday.  A neighbor said that she'd be going to Matan for their Fast of the 17th of Tamuz program. Now, even though I prefer spending my fast days dozing and lounging around... I just had to go, especially since some of my favorite Tanach, Bible teachers were teaching.

Yael Liebowitz teaching in a packed classroom

There were three sessions of classes from 8:45 until 1pm, with a choice of Hebrew or English. The Hebrew classes were in the auditorium, and the English were in a large classroom. But the classroom wasn't large enough.

We squeezed in for Yael Liebowitz, who is one of my favorite Matan teachers. I have been taking her courses for a few years.

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

Afterwards we moved to the larger Beit Medrash, Study Hall to hear Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, and that, too, filled completely. Matan definitely needs more space!

Leibtag spoke the same time that very popular speaker Racheli Fraenkel was lecturing in Hebrew. Some of those who attended Leibowitz's talk went down to the auditorium, but many more started their day at 10:15 with Leibtag. That's why the Beit Medrash was so full.

I am glad that I stayed upstairs to hear Leibtag, because he filled in many of the gaps in my basic knowledge of the history that parallels the Tanach narrative.

Every teacher has a different way of presenting the same material. I really didn't mind that both those lectures discussed and clarified the almost "mantra" which says that the First Holy Temple was destroyed because of "idol worship," and the Second Temple was destroyed because of "baseless hatred."  Apparently, both types of sins were rampant before both Temples were destroyed. Things weren't so simple. During Leibowiz's lecture, she mentioned that עבודה זרה avodah zarah, isn't really idol worship. It's more an incorrect attitude towards Gd and other religions. Even giving legitimacy to another religion, equating it as a legitimate/equal choice is forbidden. Also claiming non-Jewish values as Jewish is forbidden. That reminded me of how Gd punished/killed the sons of Aaron the Priest, because they worshiped in the Holy Tabernacle with an אש זרה aish zarah, strange/foreign fire.

For the third lecture I went down to the auditorium to hear Taphat Halperin in Hebrew. I've been studying with Taphat this past year in the Senior Citizens Program in Ofra Girls High School. She, davka, quoted from many of the same bible verses as Leibtag.

By then I was pretty tired, due to the fast and not sleeping all that much the night before. So I must admit that I wasn't up to taking notes. Gd willing my mind will find a way to process it all. Some of what she said was familiar, since the course in Ofra is also about the period between the two Temples, the exile and return.

From when I first started taking Tanach courses, here in Shiloh, I've said that it's like trying to assemble a puzzle that has thousands and thousands of pieces. Just connected a couple here and there is a great accomplishment.

I must thank everyone, Matan, the lecturers and my neighbor who took me, for a wonderful morning of learning.

PS Yes, I highly recommend studying in Matan, and if you're too far away, sign up for their online lectures.

It's Clear in The Torah That All Jews are Commanded by G-d to Serve in the Jewish Army

Warning: I'm not a rabbi and don't claim to be.  I'm not even a Torah scholar and certainly never claim to be.  I'm a simple Jew who does my best to live according to what G-d commands us.  Almost half a century ago I began to be Torah observant and soon after that got married and moved to Israel.  For over thirty years we've lived in Shiloh.  This is my personal opinion.

This week's Parshat Shavua, Torah Portion of the Week has a very timely story. 

Matot-Masay (Numbers 30-36) are the last chapters of במדבר Numbers (In The Desert.)  It takes place during the fortieth year of wandering in the wilderness, just as the Jewish People are about to cross the Jordan River enter the Land of Israel.

Numbers Chapter 32 בְּמִדְבַּר

א  וּמִקְנֶה רַב, הָיָה לִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן וְלִבְנֵי-גָד--עָצוּם מְאֹד; וַיִּרְאוּ אֶת-אֶרֶץ יַעְזֵר, וְאֶת-אֶרֶץ גִּלְעָד, וְהִנֵּה הַמָּקוֹם, מְקוֹם מִקְנֶה.	1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle; and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle,
ב  וַיָּבֹאוּ בְנֵי-גָד, וּבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן; וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל-מֹשֶׁה וְאֶל-אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן, וְאֶל-נְשִׂיאֵי הָעֵדָה לֵאמֹר.	2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying:
ג  עֲטָרוֹת וְדִיבֹן וְיַעְזֵר וְנִמְרָה, וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן וְאֶלְעָלֵה, וּשְׂבָם וּנְבוֹ, וּבְעֹן.	3 'Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
ד  הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר הִכָּה יְהוָה לִפְנֵי עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל--אֶרֶץ מִקְנֶה, הִוא; וְלַעֲבָדֶיךָ, מִקְנֶה.  {ס}	4 the land which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle.' {S}
ה  וַיֹּאמְרוּ, אִם-מָצָאנוּ חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ--יֻתַּן אֶת-הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת לַעֲבָדֶיךָ, לַאֲחֻזָּה:  אַל-תַּעֲבִרֵנוּ, אֶת-הַיַּרְדֵּן.	5 And they said: 'If we have found favour in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; bring us not over the Jordan.'
ו  וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה, לִבְנֵי-גָד וְלִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן:  הַאַחֵיכֶם, יָבֹאוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה, וְאַתֶּם, תֵּשְׁבוּ פֹה.	6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: 'Shall your brethren go to the war, and shall ye sit here?

This statement by Moshe is a very important one.  And I as a longtime Israeli whose husband, sons, other relatives, neighbors and friends have served in the IDF, most survived but not all, relate to those words very strongly.

In 1948 a small Jewish State was established, which lacked the Walled City of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and many other areas of the historic Land of Israel.  Nineteen years later, as a result of the Six Days War when Israel was attacked by three coordinated Arab states, Jordan, Syria and Egypt, Israel miraculously won and liberated most of those Biblical areas.

Israel's victories in 1948, 1967 and 1973 were so obviously miraculous that it was and is obvious that G-d lent His Power and approves of the existence of the State of Israel.  In this week's Torah Tidbits, Phil Chernofsky wrote about the " old philosophical question about whether a glass is half full or half empty" apropos to the State of Israel.

There are some Jews who view the establishment of the State of Israel as an empty glass - or worse. As has been written many times in Torah Tidbits, that is a lamentable attitude towards something that we should be thanking and praising G-d for. Israel has been returned to Jewish hands, Jews from all over the world are returning to their homeland, and the land that had been desolate and abandoned for so many long years of exile is flourishing.
There are some Jews who see the modern State of Israel as a full glass. The dream - Herzl’s dream has been realized. The Jewish people have their state, have their homeland back. What more could we want? As has been often written in these pages, these people are seriously missing the point. Our dream has not merely been ‘Next year in Jerusalem’, but in Yerushalayim HaB’nuya - in rebuilt Jerusalem, and that means the Beit HaMikdash and all that accompanies it.
There are many Jews who view our current status as the proverbial half-filled glass. This group is subdivided into the half-empty or half-full types - but let’s leave that for another time.
Let’s be optimistic. Today we have a half-full glass. We have witnessed the process of the Ingathering of the Exiles. We has seen - with out our own eyes, as the expression goes - parts of Zecharia’s prophecy come to be. There are old men and women who sit in the streets of Jerusalem and we see Jewish children playing in those streets. We see the Land flourish with fruits and vegetables that not only fill our food baskets but are, in some cases, the envy of the world. Israel’s impressive strides in many fields are evidence of our return to Israel - with G-d’s blessing.

I am not saying that things here are perfect.  It's our job to make it better, closer to perfect and not to stand back and reject the State and the IDF.

At the women's Shabbat Torah Class in my neighborhood, we were reminded that the Jewish People were given three commandments to do once entering the Land:

1. anoint a king
2. destroy Amalek
3. build the Beit Hamikdash

I numbered them, because they are supposed to be done in that order.  G-d facilitated the establishment and continued existence of the State of Israel.  It is up to us to make is a Jewish State, a proper Jewish Kingdom.  And it's up to us to make the army, the IDF a strongly Jewish army. The only way to do this is to have Torah observant Jews as soldiers and officers. That is how, with the help of G-d, our enemies will be destroyed.  And then we will be able to build the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy Temple.

The Magic of Light, The Last Day of Chanukah

אור or, light

Isn't light among the first things G-d created?

Genesis Chapter 1 בְּרֵאשִׁית

א בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ.	1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
ב וְהָאָרֶץ, הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ, וְחֹשֶׁךְ, עַל-פְּנֵי תְהוֹם; וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים, מְרַחֶפֶת עַל-פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם.	2 Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters.
ג וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי אוֹר; וַיְהִי-אוֹר.	3 And God said: 'Let there be light.' And there was light.
ד וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאוֹר, כִּי-טוֹב; וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים, בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ.	4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.
ה וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָאוֹר יוֹם, וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ קָרָא לָיְלָה; וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם אֶחָד. {פ}	5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. {P}

It's certainly the first thing labeled as "good."  Try to picture G-d sorting through the chaos in the first stage of creation.  Have you ever tried to find something in a dark closet?  You need light to know what you're feeling.  Of course, that only works if you've already learned in the light, with vision.  I one saw a movie about someone blink who gained sight as an adult after surgery.  The person was totally confused and had no idea what the things were he could see.  Light wasn't his means to comprehend.  He needed to feel everything with this hands.

Apparently, G-d decided that we should be able to learn via light and vision.  אור or, light is necessary for us as Jews.  חנוכה Chanukah is from the same linguistic root as חינוך chinuch education.  The Jewish People have always believed in universal education.  The Levi tribe wasn't allocated land, because they were supposed to be dispersed among the other tribes to teach the Jewish Religion. 

There is also a mitzvah for everyone to write a Torah.  Writing is a crucial way to learn.  This isn't some holy scroll to be hidden in a safe, away from harm.  It's supposed to be the book you carry with you to study whenever possible.  Doing one's own writing, copying is very important.  I have no doubt that the use of workbooks, instead of copying from the board is a bad way to teach.  There must be a kinesthetic aspect of learning.  When we copy and write something we must concentrate on the content and think of what we're writing.  This writing of the Torah should be a very long process.  The more we study, the stronger our understanding gets.

It's like the lighting of the Chanukiya, Chanukah Menorah.  Each night the lights grow stronger.

The more efforts we make, the more candles we light, the more good we will have.  It's a matter of doing, not just thinking and planning.  Judaism is a religion of action, not just theory.

More on the linguistics of חנוכה Chanukah   is חנוכת הבית Chanukat HaBayit, the dedication of the home, building, institution.  There's a ceremony many do when moving into a new home.

We pray that speedily in our days, there will be the חנוכת הבית Chanukat HaBayit, for the בית-המקדש Beit HaMikdash, The Holy Temple.  I don't believe it will just drop from the sky.  We must build it!  Have an Enlightening Chanukah!

The Catholic Pope's Visit To Israel -- Taking Bets

I got the idea for this post from a comment by josh.

The Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit Israel very soon. Josh suggested that maybe he'll be bringing one of our Holy Temple Treasures which the Romans stole from the Beit HaMikdash thousands of years ago. I doubt it, because it would admit that they have our property.

Nu? What do you think? What do you expect the pope to bring us? Israel is planning an outrageously disproportionate gift of our Holy Mount Zion.